By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo has hinted that his country’s government will soon launch direct flights to the West African country in an effort to boost economic ties between the two countries.
“We plan to open an Italian trade agency in Lagos and, hopefully, soon launch direct flights between Italy and Nigeria,” De Leo said shortly after signing a working agreement with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on behalf of the Italian news agency, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA) in Abuja on Wednesday.
The new flights schedule when fully in operation, would lay the conditions for opening up other opportunities that would be mutually beneficial to both Italy and Nigeria in the near future, the envoy added.
According to Leo, “We are working closely with my colleague, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Italy, Mr Mfawa Abam. Today is a positive day because it signifies an important step towards improving the already excellent relations between both countries”.
He said the agreement between NAN and ANSA would see the two news agencies sharing information and knowledge, and provide training to NAN’s newsroom manpower.
He described the agreement as a major development, especially in view of the fact that it involves “a partner such as Nigeria, the giant of Africa”.
Responding, the Managing Director of NAN, Buki Ponle, described the agreement as a step in the right direction as it would unveil great possibilities for news exchange between both agencies.
He said that the news agency’s focus was Nigeria, with Africa as the centerpiece of its reportage.
